Gas burner igniter



Feb. 24, 1959 W. G. BROSENE, JR, ETAL GAS BURNER IGNITER Filed Jan. 4, 1954 INVENTORS RUSENEJR IE5 PAUL R. DESELMS WILLIAM 13.1;

ATTORNEY United States Patent GAS BURNER IGNITER Application January 4, 1954, Serial No. 401,975 7 Claims. (Cl. 158-115) This invention relates to novel automatic igniters for gaseous fuel burners and more particularly to novel automatic burner igniters for domestic gas ranges.

In present domestic gas ranges, one pilot burner is usually provided for igniting several 'main surface burners. This pilot burns continuously and usually ignites the main heating burners through flash-back tubes. Igniting quantities of unburned gas flowing through these flashback tubes at times may be hazardous. Providing individual pilots for each burner markedly increases fuel consumption. This invention provides an igniter which burns fuel only when it is immediately required to light the burner.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an automatic igniter for a gas range burner which ignites the burner whenever unburned gas flows from the burner.

Another object is to provide a gas range burner igniter which consumes fuel only when in the process of igniting the burner.

A further object is to provide a simple economical automatic igniter for a gas range burner which will operate reliably.

An illustrative example of an igniter fulfilling these objects utilizes a pair of are generating electrodes. The electrodes are mounted adjacent to a burner port. A low voltage source of potential is imposed across these electrodes through an electric heating element and a switch. This switch is automatically closed when the gas supply valve is opened. Current flow through the circuit generates heat in the heating element. A bimetallic strip associated with the heating element contacts a pivoted lever fastened to the electrodes. Warpage of the bimetallic strip under the influence of heat from the heating element causes a small gap between the electrodes. The potential difierence across the spaced electrodes draws an arc across this small gap which ignites the gas issuing from the burner port. The flame flashes to the rest of the ports to ignite the entire burner.

Heat from the burner flame warps the bimetallic strip still further. This widens the gap between the electrodes so that they no longer can sustain the arc. This breaks the circuit and cuts off the current flow. The open circuit is maintained as long as the burner continues burning. If the burner goes out, the bimetallic strip straightens to provide the smaller arc sustaining gap to reignite the burner.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevation partially in cross section of an automatic igniting gas burner with the disposition of the igniting elements shown in schematic representation; and

Fig. 2 is a detailed schematic diagram of the igniter shown in Fig. 1 with the parts shown displaced from their actual physical arrangement for, ease and clarity of presentation.

2,874,768 Patented Feb. 24, 1959 ICC In Fig. 1, a gas burner 10 is shown having utensil heating ports 12. Gas flows through the venturi 14 and through the throat 16 of the burner. The gas enters the distribution chamber 20 through a circular opening 18. From the distribution chamber, a number of gas jets issue from the burner ports 12. A utensil (not shown) which may be held on grates (not shown) is heated above the burner.

In the wall of the throat 16 of the burner an outlet 22 leads to the short pipe 24 which may be terminated by the cap 26. An orifice or auxiliary port 28 in the cap 26 provides an auxiliary jet. Gas issuing from the port 28, when ignited will sustain an auxiliary flame 36. This flame is in igniting relationship with gas issuing from the ports 12. When the auxiliary port 28 is ignited, it in turn ignites the gas issuing from the nearest utensil heating port 12 to ignite the entire burner.

The igniter 32 comprises electrodes 30 and 31. These electrodes are so disposed that an are drawn between them will ignite fuel issuing from the port 28. The heat responsive element 34 of the igniter is disposed in heat exchange relationship with the flame issuing from auxiliary port 28. This heat responsive element may be a bimetallic strip.

In Fig. 2 a detailed schematic diagram of the igniter cooperating with the burner 10 is shown. The parts are shown displaced from their actual physical arrangement for ease and clarity of presentation. The combination of the burner and igniter provides an automatic self igniting gas burner. It is automatic and self-igniting because as soon as gas issues from the various ports of the burner, it will be immediately ignited.

In Fig. 2, electrodes 30 and 31 are shown with their tips contacting within the flame 36 issuing from the auxiliary port 28. These electrodes may be common carbon arc electrodes. The auxiliary port is supplied with gas through pipe 24 (only a portion of which is shown). Also positioned in heat exchange relationship with the flame is the bimetallic strip or heat responsive element 34. One end of the strip is firmly secured to a portion of the range structure at 50 by screw 52. One of the electrodes 31 is firmly secured to the range structure at 51. The other of the electrodes 30 is mounted on a pivoted lever 56 which pivots on the pivot rod 58. The lever 56 is suitably insulated. The electrode 30 is secured to the lever by bracket 53. The bimetallic strip 34 bears against the rounded end 60 of the pivoted lever 56. The gas supply to the burner is controlled by valve 64.

A source of low voltage 70, which may be from. 10 to 25 volts, is connected through switch 72 to electrical heating element 74 which is disposed around the bimetallic strip in heat exchange relationship. The heating element is then connected to electrode 30. The circuit is continued through the contacting electrode 31 which is firmly secured to the range structure at 51. The electrode 31 is grounded to provide a return path through ground to the source of potential 70. The switch 72 is mechanically associated with the valve 64. As long as the valve 64 is maintained open, the switch 72 is maintained closed. Switch 72 may be a pressure operated switch. It may be maintained closed by the gas pressure whenever gas flows into the burner.

Operation When the valve 64 is opened to admit gas to the burner 10, the switch 72 is immediately closed. Current, therefore, flows from the potential source 70 through closed switch 72 and heating element 74. The return path to ground back into the source of potential is completed through the contacting electrodes 30 and 31. As the current flows through the heating element 74, heat is gen- 3 erated. This heat warps the bimetallic strip 34-. The tip of the strip bears against the rounded end 60 of the pivoted lever 56 This rotates, the lever in a. clockwise direction. V i p Rotation ofthe lever inaclockwise direction causes the tip felectrode130 to separate. from the tip of electrode 31. This separation, or gap, is shown schematically by the lever and electrode position drawn in broken lines. This provides'a gap or spacing of a predetermined magnitude between the electrodes. The strip may be constructed to warp a predetermined amount when associated with a heating element of predetermined output. The predetermined combination provides a gap or spacingbetween the electrodesjcapable of sustaining an are when a predetermined potential is imposed. A low potential of from 10 to 25 volts, for example, may be imposed. Movement of the strip spaces the electrodes to draw an igniting are between them. The size of thegap required to sustain an arc varies with the magnitude of the imposed potential. This am will ignite the gas issuing from the port 28. The entire gas burner then is ignited by the auxiliary flame 36.

Under the sustained heat of the flame 36, the bimetallic strip 34, mounted in heat exchange relationship, will warp still further. The pivoted lever 56 will be rotated still further in a clockwise direction. Under the influence of the heat from the burning auxiliary jet, a greater gap is provided between the electrodes. This greater gap is not capable of sustaining an are at the imposed potential and the circuit is broken.

As long as the flame burns, the electrodes 30 and 31 are maintained separated by the bimetallic strip thereby breaking the circuit and deenergizing the igniter. If the flame is extinguishedfor any reason while gas is flowing through the burner, the bimetallic strip will start to carry out the functions of the auxiliary port as described.

The heatresponsive element may be placed in heat exchange relationship either with an auxiliary port or with any heat supplying port of the gas burner.

What is claimed is:

.1. An igniting system for a fuel burner comprising means to supply fuel to said burner, a pair of electrodes,

supporting means for providing relative movement between said electrodes thereby to draw an electric arc'. by

separation of said electrodes, said electrodes being disposed in igniting proximity, to said burner, means responsive to burner heat for increasing electrode separationto break saidarc, a source of electric energy, acircuit connected to said source whereby said source provides an electric current through said electrodes, heat evolving means included in said circuit, and means coupled of potential across said-electrodes through said heating element, and heat responsive means associated with and operative to space and provide a gap between said electrodes, said heat responsive means providing an arc sustaining gas between said electrodes in response to heat generated by current flow through said circuit, said heat responsive means being disposed in heat exchange relationship with said heating element and said burner, said heat responsive means beingoperative to increase said gap under influence of the burner heat to break said arc, said heat responsive means being operative to maintain said electrodes separated in potentially energized condition for reforming the ignitin'garc'upon extinguishment of the burner flame.

3. An automatic ignit'er for a gas range burner comprisinga generator havingelectrodes for drawing an electric arc, said electrodes being disposed' for igniting gas issuing from said burner, a source of potential, a circuit for imposing saidsource-of potential across said electrodes, heat responsive means for providing a gap between said electrodes, said heat responsive means being mechanically associated with one of said electrodes, said heat responsive means being disposed in heat exchange relationship with said circuit, and with said burner, and means energizing said circuit coincident with supply of unburned fuel to the burner, said heat responsive means being operative to produce an-arc sustaining gap between'said electrodes in response to current flow through said circuit, said heat responsive means being operative to provide a greater gap not capable of sustaining said are in response to sustained heat of said burner flame.

4. An automatic igniter for a gaseous fuel burner comprising agenerator having electrodes for drawing an electric arc, said'elec'trodes being disposed for igniting gas issuing from; burner; a source of potential, a switch and an electrical heating element, a circuit connecting said source of potential across said electrodes through said switch and said heating element, and a bimetallic strip mechanically associated with one of said electrodes, said strip being disposed in heat exchange relationship with said heating" element and said burner, said bimetallic strip forming an arc sustaining gap between said electrodes in response to heat generated by current flowing through said heating element, said bimetallic strip providing a gap between said electrodes too great to sustain an response to heat supplied by said burner.

5. An automatic self-igniting gas burner comprising the combination ofa burner having utensil heating ports, an auxiliary port disposed in igniting relationship to said utensil heating ports, a generator having electrodes for drawing an electric are, said, electrodes being disposed for igniting gas. issuing from said auxiliary port, heat responsive means for providing a gap between said electrodes, an electrical heating element, said heat responsive means being mechanically associated with one of said electrodes, said heat responsive means being disposed in heat exchange relationship with burner and said heatingelement, a source of voltage for imposing a potential across said electrodes and for supplying current to said heating element, a circuit connecting said source of voltage. to said electrodes and to said heating element, a switch in said circuit, and means maintaining said switch closed when fuel is supplied to said burner, said electrodes providing means for completing said circuit, said heat responsive means providing an arc sustaining gap between said electrodes in response to heat generated by current flow through said heating element, said heat responsive element providing a greater gap to break said circuit in response to sustained heat of the flame issuing from said auxiliary port.

6. An automatic self-igniting gas burner comprising the, combination of burner having utensil heating ports, an auxiliary port, said auxiliary port being disposed in igniting relationship to said utensil heating ports, a pair ofelectrodes. being disposedfor drawing an arc to ignite gas issuing'fromsaid auxiliary port, a heat responsive element being disposedin heat exchange relationship with said burner, and, an electric heating element being disposed inheat exchange relationship with said heat responsive; element, said heat responsive element being mechanically associated with one of said electrodes, said heat responsive element being operative to provide a are in variable gap between said electrodes, said heat respon- 'sive element moving to provide an arc sustaining gap between said electrodes in response to heat supplied by said electric heating element, said heat responsive element moving further to provide a circuit interrupting gap between said electrodes in response to sustained heat of said burner.

7. An igniting system for a fuel burner comprising means to supply fuel to said burner, a pair of electrodes, supporting means for providing relative movement between said electrodes thereby to draw an electric are by separation of said electrodes, said electrodes being disposed in igniting proximity to said burner, means responsive to burner heat for increasing electrode separa- ,tion to break said arc, a source of electric energy, a circuit connected to said source whereby said source provides an electric current through said electrodes, heat evolving means included in said circuit, and means responsive to the heat of the heat evolving means coupled to said electrode supporting means to cause are drawing separation of said electrodes.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 346,430 Cutten July 27, 1886 761,379 Heany May 31, 1904 1,189,994 Obermeyer July 4, 1916 1,855,551 Jackson Apr. 26, 1932 2,041,014 Norton May 19, 1936 2,076,418 Smith Apr. 6, 1937 2,269,157 Levine Jan. 6, 1942 

